Gen Z's new rules on the dating game

Gen Z in China is transforming romance with creative dating approaches, showing how modern love can blossom from shared passions and unconventional activities.

Zhu Mingxuan, 23, met her boyfriend through their shared passion for frisbee, a sport that typically attracts young enthusiasts of similar ages who train together regularly and sometimes even travel out of town for competitions.

Their relationship blossomed as they first competed against each other on the field and later as teammates.

"The sport physically makes your heart beat really fast. Spending a lot of time together, plus traveling, makes falling in love quite natural with frisbee," said Zhu, adding that she knows several couples who bonded through the sport.

For a long time, the dating routine among Chinese young people has been dinner, movies, and a walk in the park — what netizens usually refer to as the "classic dating trifecta". These days, however, Gen Zers are starting to explore alternative approaches to finding romantic partners and diverse dating experiences.

According to Zhu, frisbee is a significant part of her identity, something she has been devoted to since high school. It still occupies a substantial amount of her time. "That's why an ideal partner for me is someone who can either play frisbee or at least talk about it with me," she said.

In addition to frisbee, the two also share a love for running. Zhu's boyfriend has been running since he was a kid, while she runs 10 kilometers about twice a week. "We both value self-discipline and strive to become better versions of ourselves," Zhu said.